Why Your Disagreements (Might) Suck

Six argumentative approaches and why you need to know them.

Photo used with permission from canva.com

Overview

• There are six different approaches to the subject matter of a conflict or argument.
• We need to know which positions or approaches we are using so that we can know what kind of argument we are having.
• Arguing using two different approaches is the main reason why our arguments are, often, unproductive.

There Are Different Kinds of Arguments?

The position you bring to a conflict or disagreement absolutely shapes the content of your argument. Rarely, however, are we able to articulate which approach we are using.

Because, yes, there are multiple kinds of disagreements.

And they are based on the position — or approach — you enter into the argument with.

These various approaches, as it happens, have less to do with what you are saying and more to do with the framework that has formed your position.

If you are in an argument and you are arguing based on one kind of approach to the subject matter and the other person has taken a different approach, you are going to have a hell of a time coming to any kind of consensus, conclusion, or mediated resolution.

This, in my opinion, is why our disagreements usually suck.

What Do You Think About Donald Trump?

Ah, nothing like a contemporary, political subject to illustrate just how messy this concept is. Yet, this might be the clearest example of how approaching argumentative content from different categories or perspectives drastically impacts your outcome.

One’s argumentative approach will impact how one answers this question.

• Someone supports Trump because of a stance on a particular policy.
• Someone else can’t support a president who is immoral.
• Someone else says they don’t care about personality, but only economic or legislative statistics.
• Or, someone supports/doesn’t support Trump simply because they are a conservative/liberal.